Cassipa Approved as Maintenance Treatment for Opioid Dependence

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cassipa (buprenorphine and naloxone; Teva) sublingual film for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence.

Cassipa combines buprenorphine, an opioid (partial agonist-antagonist), and naloxone, an opioid antagonist. It is intended for use with a complete plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support. It should only be used after patient induction and stabilization up to a 16mg dose of buprenorphine using another marketed product. The approval of Cassipa was supported by the FDA’s finding of safety and efficacy for Suboxone sublingual film in addition to pharmacokinetic data specific to Cassipa.